SUPPLEMENTAL GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION (CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 23, 2012	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 23, 2012
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income	$ 161,024	$ 42,941	$ 406,043	$ 151,692
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Net unrealized holding losses on available-for-sale securities, net of tax		(12)		(12)
Gains (losses) associated with pension and other postretirement benefits, net	313	(5,115)	36,114	(16,140)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	313	(5,127)	36,114	(16,152)
Comprehensive income	161,337	37,814	442,157	135,540
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	107	10	(161)	230
Comprehensive income attributable to Pilgrim's Pride Corporation	161,230	37,804	442,318	135,310
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income	(21,861)	(35,662)	(106,932)	(83,404)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Net unrealized holding losses on available-for-sale securities, net of tax
Gains (losses) associated with pension and other postretirement benefits, net
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
Comprehensive income	(21,861)	(35,662)	(106,932)	(83,404)
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests
Comprehensive income attributable to Pilgrim's Pride Corporation	(21,861)	(35,662)	(106,932)	(83,404)
Parent Company [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income	160,917	42,931	406,204	151,462
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Net unrealized holding losses on available-for-sale securities, net of tax
Gains (losses) associated with pension and other postretirement benefits, net	313	(5,115)	36,114	(16,140)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	313	(5,115)	36,114	(16,140)
Comprehensive income	161,230	37,816	442,318	135,322
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests
Comprehensive income attributable to Pilgrim's Pride Corporation	161,230	37,816	442,318	135,322
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income	12,861	3,814	25,071	13,319
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Net unrealized holding losses on available-for-sale securities, net of tax
Gains (losses) associated with pension and other postretirement benefits, net
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
Comprehensive income	12,861	3,814	25,071	13,319
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests
Comprehensive income attributable to Pilgrim's Pride Corporation	12,861	3,814	25,071	13,319
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income	9,107	31,858	81,700	70,315
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Net unrealized holding losses on available-for-sale securities, net of tax		(12)		(12)
Gains (losses) associated with pension and other postretirement benefits, net
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax		(12)		(12)
Comprehensive income	9,107	31,846	81,700	70,303
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	107	10	(161)	230
Comprehensive income attributable to Pilgrim's Pride Corporation	$ 9,000	$ 31,836	$ 81,861	$ 70,073